Saturday, 12 November 2016

A Surfeit of Kingfishers?

This week we went to four different locations, and saw at least one Kingfisher at each venue, although on Tuesday only a single observer spotted the bird on Mother Drain at Potteric Carr.

Distant Kingfisher at Fairburn Ings

On Tuesday we went to Potteric Carr, and everyone was lucky enough to see a Cetti's Warbler through dense vegetation near the feeding station at Willow Pool. A Pintail on Huxter Well was another highlight, as were the other usual subjects.

Cetti's Warbler

Ditto

Long-tailed Tit

Pintail

Ditto

Ditto

The rain was relentless on Wednesday at RSPB Blacktoft Sands, so the confiding Kingfisher was a definite highlight for both groups. The Marsh Harriers were still active at times, and we saw Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Curlew, and various ducks, but a second memorable sighting was the pair of Bearded Tits in and around a metal gate at the immediately in front of Ousefleet hide. If you look closely on the photos you can see the rain as the Kingfisher dives and the Bearded Tits perch.

Kingfisher (c) 2016 Aileen Urquhart

Diving Kingfisher (c) 2016 Aileen Urquhart

Female Bearded Tit (c) 2016 Tony Robinson

Female Bearded Tit (c) 2016 Aileen Urquhart

Male Moustachioed Reedling (c) 2016 Tony Robinson

Marsh Harrier & Lapwing (c) 2016 Tony Robinson

Little Egret (c) 2016 Aileen Urquhart

On Thursday we ventured all the way to Fairburn Ings. There were at least 3 areas in which Willow Tits abounded. The Kingfishers were very reliable behind their screen, and a Heron was even present there too. A few Redpolls were about, and plenty of wildfowl out of eclipse, but not the promised Goosanders.

Willow Tit

Ditto

Female Kingfisher (c) 2016 Margaret Richardson

Ditto

Heron (c) 2016 Margaret Richardson

Lesser Redpoll

Ditto

Reed Bunting at the feeding station

On a calm sunny Fridaythe groups travelled to a normally hideously windy, bleak and desolate location. This was the venue all the other groups visited last week. They weren't to be disappointed. There was a fine 'Silver' Plover at high tide, plus Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Shelduck and ask inquisitive Common (or Harbour) Seal.

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